Catalytic stability with time-on-stream is an important aspect in ethanol dry reforming (EDR) since catalysts could encounter undesirable deterioration arising from deposited carbon. This work examined the promotional effect of La on 10%Co/Al2O3 in terms of activity, stability, and characteristics. Catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements whilst catalytic EDR performance of La-promoted and unpromoted 10%Co/Al2O3 prepared via wet impregnation technique was investigated at 973 K for 72 h using a stoichiometric feed ratio (C2H5OH/CO2 = 1/1). La promoter substantially enhanced both metal dispersion and metal surface area from 0.11% to 0.64% and 0.08 to 0.43 m(2) g(-1), respectively. Ethanol and CO2 conversions appeared to be stable within 50 to 72 h after experiencing an initial activity drop. The conversion of C2H5OH and CO2 for La-promoted catalyst was about 1.65 and 1.34 times greater than unpromoted counterpart in this order. The carbonaceous deposition was considerably decreased from 55.6% to 36.8% with La promotion due to La2O2CO3 intermediate formation. Additionally, 3%La-10%Co/Al2O3 possessed greater oxygen vacancies acting as active sites for CO2 adsorption and hence increasing carbon gasification. Even though graphitic and filamentous carbons were formed on used catalyst surface, La-addition diminished graphite formation and increased the reactiveness of amorphous carbon.